64 The Nature-Study Idea 



will study the plant before he studies the leaf or 

 germination or the cell. He will discover the 

 bobolink before he looks for its toes. He will 

 care little for mere ' 'methods.' 1 His teaching 

 will have freshness. 



The Integument-Man is afraid that this popu- 

 lar nature-study will undermine and discourage 

 the teaching of science. Needless to say, the 

 fear is absurdly groundless. Science-teaching 

 is a part of the very fabric of our civilization. 

 All our goings and our comings are adjusted 

 to it. No sane man wishes to cheapen or dis- 

 courage the teaching of science. Nature-study 

 is not opposed to it. Nature-study prepares 

 the child to receive the science-teaching. Grad- 

 ually, as the child matures, nature-study may 

 grow into science-learning if the pupil so elect. 

 Science-teaching has more to fear from desic- 

 cated science-teaching than it has from nature- 

 study. It is the Integument-Man himself who 

 is discouraging the teaching of science. Every- 

 thing that is true and worth the while will 

 endure. 



All youths love nature. None of them, 



